The most romantic name in Rajasthan

The most romantic name in Rajasthan is Chittaur, Chittaur is more than a ruined citadel; it is a symbol. It stands for all that was brave, true and noble in the Rajput tradition. Chittaur was sacked three times, and on each occasion the rite of Jauhar was perforned. The first was in 1303 when Allauddin Khilji, Sultan of Delhi coveted the famous Rajput beauty Rani Padmini whose face he had seen reflecting on a mirror. Padmini led the Jauhar rather than submit to dishonour. The second was in 1533 when the Sultan of Gujarat attacked Bikramjeet of Chittaur. Rani Karnavati, a Bundi Princess, lat the jauhar in which many women and children perished. Her own infant son, Udai Singh, was smuggled out of Bundi to preserve the line. Udai Singh returned as a child to Chittaur but his was an adventurous childhood. Udai Singh lived to inherit the throne of Chittaur, But his traumatic childhood had taught him that discretion was certainly to be preferred to valour.

So when in 1567, Mughal Emperor Akbar beseiged Chittaurgarh, Udai Singh escaped leaving its defence to two sixteen-year old heroes, Jaimal of Bednore and Patta of Kelwa. They died in true Rajput tradition after the jauhar had been proclaimed and Akbar, taking no chances, razed the Fort to rubble.

Chittorgarh was never inhabited again. But it remained the dream—or rathr the Holy Grail—of the Rajputs. Udai Singh built his new capital in Udaipur—a beautiful lake city which still flourishes, But his son Rana Pratap could not forget that it was Udai who had lost Chittaur.

WHAT TO SEE

The Fort I Believed to have been constructed by later Maurya rulers in 7th century A.D., this fort is located on a 180 metre high hill, covering 700 acres. Tablets and Chattries bearing testimony to the acts of sacrifice and gallantry lie between several monumental gates. The main gates ar Pol, With a distinct Rajput character.

Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower)

Built by over the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat ir nine storeys. Its exterior is decorated with sculpt ~ through the centuries.

Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame)

This 22 Jain merchant in the 12th century A.D. and is tirthankaras. The tower is decorated with figures.

Rana Kumbha's Palace

Although in ruins interest. It is believed that in one of the undergo committed jauhar.

Padmini's Palace

Rani Padmini was a here that Rana Ratan Singh showed a glimpse overlooks a pool in which the 'Zanana Mahal' was shown to Allauddin Khilji in a mirror placed